Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/My Best Friend Bob

The following discussion is an archived debate of the proposed deletion of the article below. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review). No further edits should be made to this page.

The result was speedy keep. Nominator withdrawn. TLA (talk) 06:06, 14 January 2024 (UTC)[reply]

My Best Friend Bob[edit]

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~~Doesn't appear to meet WP:NBOOK or WP:GNG. There is a possible ATD of redirecting to Georgie Ripper, the author, but I am not sure if that is worth doing. Boleyn (talk) 18:08, 8 January 2024 (UTC)~~[reply]

Note: This discussion has been included in the list of Literature-related deletion discussions. Owen× ☎ 19:21, 8 January 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Keep per the significant coverage in multiple independent reliable sources. Wikipedia:Notability (books)#Criteria says:
A book is presumed notable if it verifiably meets, through reliable sources, at least one of the following criteria:
1. The book has been the subject of two or more non-trivial published works appearing in sources that are independent of the book itself. This can include published works in all forms, such as newspaper articles, other books, television documentaries, bestseller lists, and reviews. This excludes media re-prints of press releases, flap copy, or other publications where the author, its publisher, agent, or other self-interested parties advertise or speak about the book.
Sources
1. "Brian and Bob: The Tale of Two Guinea Pigs". Kirkus Reviews. Vol. 71, no. 17. September 2003. p. 1130. EBSCOhost 10757170. Archived from the original on 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  The review notes: "An improbable tale, but a happily-ever-after one, so young readers will suspend their disbelief as they pull for the reunion of Ripper's guinea pig protagonists. Narrative and story architecture aren't Ripper's strong suits--left to them alone, she'd be wise to fold her hand--but she trumps readers with her winsome artwork: it's not easy to convincingly make a guinea pig scowl or to cross its arms in a huff, but it's visual magic when it works, and Ripper does it with aplomb."
2. Merrett, Sarah (Autumn 2003). "My Best Friend Bob". School Librarian. Vol. 51, no. 3. p. 132. EBSCOhost 11008919.
  The abstract notes: "Reviews the book 'My Best Friend Bob,' by Georgie Ripper." I do not have access to the full review.
3. Ward, Elizabeth (2003-09-14). "For Young Readers". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  The review notes: "Brian & Bob: The Tale of Two Guinea Pigs, by Georgie Ripper (Hyperion, $15.99; ages 2-5). This soon-to-be classic is right up there with Anne Mazer's The Salamander Room (1991, but still in print), which also tweaks kids' hearts while teaching them about the things pets really need. Brian and Bob are two fat guinea pigs, with innocent dots for eyes, who lead a "nice, comfy" life together at Pete's Pet Palace. One day, Brian is sold, leaving Bob devastated; even peanuts can't console him. I hope it's not giving away too much of the plot to say that the double-page spread depicting the pair's ultimate reunion ("BRIAN!" "BOB!") is among the most heartwarming denouements to be found in recent children's literature. Guinea pigs, you see, are social animals and should never be bought or kept alone."
4. Dow, Sally R. (December 2003). "Ripper, Georgie. Brian & Bob: the Tale of Two Guinea Pigs". School Library Journal. Vol. 49, no. 12. p. 124. Archived from the original on 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2024-01-10 – via Gale.
  The review notes: "Charming, whimsical illustrations in pen and watercolor capture the emotions of the two small, lifelike animals. Children will readily empathize with the characters and their situation."
5. "Brian & Bob: The Tale of Two Guinea Pigs". Publishers Weekly. Vol. 250, no. 42. 2003-10-20. p. 52. EBSCOhost 11126960. Archived from the original on 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  The review notes: "Ripper's unadorned prose and pared-down watercolor compositions eloquently describe the joy of close friendship and the sorrow that comes from its loss."
6. Salisbury, Martin (July 2003). "My Best Friend, Bob". Books for Keeps. No. 141. p. 19. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  This book review is listed in Children's Book Review Index.
  The review notes: "The ensuing happy reunion concludes a book whose success is built on the totally convincing visual characterisation of the animals. Their facial expressions, gesture and movement are all spot on. The image of the dejected Brian, lying in his food bowl, idly flicking a peanut in the air, is a particular delight."
7. Bell, Mae Woods (2003-11-23). "Books can thrill child at Christmas". Rocky Mount Telegram. Archived from the original on 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2024-01-10 – via Newspapers.com.
  The review notes: ""Brian & Bob" (Hyperion) by prize-winning artist Georgie Ripper is a charmingly illustrated tale of two guinea pigs who live happily in Pete's Pet Store. Every day they do the things guinea pigs do, hanging around the food bowl and playing I Spy together. But one day Bob is adopted, and Brian is left all alone. Brian trundled off to find a peanut to cheer himself up. It doesn't help. Eventually Brian and Bob are reunited, playing I Spy and tossing a peanut. Brian falls fast asleep right in the middle of a game of I Spy. Little guinea pigs can't read this book, but this human wasn't able to resist this endearing little tale of friendship and Ripper's illustrations."
8. Ross, Kathryn (2003-04-12). "Stories that bloom in the spring". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  The review provides 94 words of coverage about the subject. The review notes: "My Best Friend, Bob (Macmillan Children's Books, €9.99) by new writer and illustrator, Georgie Ripper is a delight not to be missed by children, adults or guinea-pig owners. Brian and Bob are best friends. They share a cage in Pete's Pet Palace and do the things guinea pigs do best - eating, sleeping and playing "I Spy". Then one day Bob is taken away and Brian is inconsolable; life has no meaning without his friend. Luckily fate steps in and in a scene of unbridled joy Brian and Bob are reunited. A funny, heart-warming classic.'
9. "Children's picture books". The Herald. 2003-05-03. Archived from the original on 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  The review notes: "Bob the guinea pig rarely wins I-spy games against his pal, the sleek Brian, at Pete's Pet Palace. But when Bob is sold, Brian pines. Each day he feels more miserable. Though typically blob-like, the guinea pigs have wonderfully expressive little paws. Illustrations and text combine powerfully to heighten anxiety as we wonder if the friends will meet again. The ending is suitably cathartic."
10. Nowak, Susan (2003-05-28). "Georgie's fun children's books show she's made of write stuff". St Albans & Harpenden Review. Archived from the original on 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  The article notes: "This month the 25-year-old sees the publication of not one but eight books My Best Friend Bob, the book that actually won the prize, devised, written and illustrated by her ... My Best Friend Bob is a cosy tale of two little guinea pigs living happily together in Pete's Pet Palace until one of them is bought and the chums pine for each other. Naturally, it has a happy ending. But it is Georgie's gorgeous larger-than-life pictures that really make the book."
11. Dowen, Rebecca (2004-03-23). "Pigs, bears, mice star in bedtime stories". The Noblesville Ledger. Archived from the original on 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2024-01-10 – via Newspapers.com.
  The review notes: ""Brian and Bob: The Tale of Two Guinea Pigs" tells about two guinea pigs that live in a cozy cage at Pete's Pet Palace. Brian has short shiny hair and Bob has long unruly hair. One day while playing I Spy, a little boy comes into the store and brings along a cardboard box. He buys Bob and renames him Fluffy. After a couple of days, both guinea pigs become extremely depressed but they soon get together again. Children in first and second grades love this book. "Brian & Bob: The Tale of Two Guinea Pigs," written by Georgie Ripper, was published by Hyperion Books for Children. The suggested retail price is $15.99."
12. Westmoore, Jean (2003-10-26). "NewBooks: Children's selections". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2024-01-10 – via Newspapers.com.
  The review notes: "Brian the guinea pig is desolate after his friend Bob is sold at the pet store in this endearing story of friendship by an English author-illustrator. The expressive illustrations bring to life the different personalities of Brian and Bob. (Ritter won the Macmillan Prize for Book Illustration for "Little Brown Bushrat.")"
There is sufficient coverage in reliable sources to allow My Best Friend Bob (also known as Brian & Bob: The Tale of Two Guinea Pigs) to pass Wikipedia:Notability#General notability guideline, which requires "significant coverage in reliable sources that are independent of the subject".
Cunard (talk) 09:34, 10 January 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Comment: I expanded and added these sources to the article. Cunard (talk) 09:34, 10 January 2024 (UTC)[reply]
Keep. Tanks to the vast improvement made by Cunard, I see no reason to delete (nor to keep the Afd going on, for that matter). @Boleyn: Would you consider withdrawing this nomination considering the sources presented? Thank you.-My, oh my! (Mushy Yank) 10:16, 12 January 2024 (UTC)[reply]
Withdraw nomination I agree, thanks, Cunard. Boleyn (talk) 18:28, 12 January 2024 (UTC)[reply]

The above discussion is preserved as an archive of the debate. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review). No further edits should be made to this page.